Specialty stents with flow control features or the like

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are described for obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage and for specializing one or more stents in response to obtaining the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/454,343, entitled SPECIALTY STENTS WITH FLOW CONTROL FEATURES OR THE LIKE, naming Edward K. Y. Jung, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed 16 Jun. 2006, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of the earliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the “Related Applications”) (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications or claims benefits under 35 USC § 119(e) for provisional patent applications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Application(s)).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to the effect that the USPTO's computer programs require that patent applicants reference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is a continuation or continuation-in-part. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit of Prior-Filed Application, USPTO Official Gazette Mar. 18, 2003, available at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/og/2003/week11/patbene.htm. The present Applicant entity has provided above a specific reference to the application(s) from which priority is being claimed as recited by statute. Applicant entity understands that the statute is unambiguous in its specific reference language and does not require either a serial number or any characterization, such as “continuation” or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S. patent applications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicant entity understands that the USPTO's computer programs have certain data entry requirements, and hence Applicant entity is designating the present application as a continuation-in-part of its parent applications as set forth above, but expressly points out that such designations are not to be construed in any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether or not the present application contains any new matter in addition to the matter of its parent application(s).

All subject matter of the Related Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Applications is incorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

SUMMARY

An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the method includes but is not limited to receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient and customizing one or more attributes of a stent ex situ as an at-least-roughly contemporaneous response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the system includes but is not limited to circuitry for receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient and circuitry for customizing one or more attributes of a stent ex situ as an at-least-roughly contemporaneous response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, the method includes but is not limited to receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient and customizing one or more junctions of a stent ex situ in response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer.

An embodiment provides a system. In one implementation, the system includes but is not limited to circuitry for receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient and circuitry for customizing one or more junctions of a stent ex situ in response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In addition to the foregoing, various other embodiments are set forth and described in the text (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawings of the present description.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented.

FIG. 2 depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational process.

FIG. 3 depicts a high-level logic flow of another operational process.

FIGS. 4-5 each depict exemplary environments in which one or more technologies may be implemented jonathan FIG. 6 depicts a high-level logic flow of another operational process.

FIG. 7 depicts a high-level logic flow of another operational process.

FIG. 8 depicts a high-level logic flow of another operational process.

FIG. 9 depicts a stent component in which one or more technologies may be implemented.

FIG. 10 depicts a stent including the component of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 depicts a stenting site in which one or more technologies may be implemented.

FIGS. 12-14 each depict another view of the stenting site of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 depicts a system in which one or more technologies may be implemented.

FIG. 16 depicts another system in which one or more technologies may be implemented.

FIG. 17 depicts another stenting site in which one or more technologies may be implemented.

FIGS. 18-19 each depict another view of the stenting site of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 depicts another stenting site in which one or more technologies may be implemented.

FIG. 21 depicts another view of the stenting site of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 depicts another stenting site in which one or more technologies may be implemented.

FIGS. 23-25 each depict another view of the stenting site of FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 depicts a stent component in which one or more technologies may be implemented.

FIG. 27 depicts a profile relating to the stent component of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 depicts a stent component in which one or more technologies may be implemented.

FIG. 29 depicts a profile relating to the stent component of FIG. 28.

FIGS. 30-33 depict variants of the flow of FIG. 2.

FIG. 34 depicts variants of the flow of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 35-37 depict variants of the flow of FIG. 6.

FIG. 38 depicts variants of the flow of FIG. 7.

FIG. 39 depicts variants of the flow of FIG. 8.

FIG. 40 depicts another system in which one or more technologies may be implemented.

FIGS. 41-42 depict additional variants of the flow of FIG. 3.

FIG. 43 depicts another system in which one or more technologies may be implemented.

FIG. 44 depict additional variants of the flow of FIG. 8.

FIG. 45 depicts another system in which one or more technologies may be implemented.

FIGS. 46-47 depict additional variants of the flow of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown system 100 comprises receiver 130 and processing module 180 operatively coupled by linkage 109. Receiver 130 may include one or more of user interface 132 (e.g. with output device 133 or input device 134), network interface 135 (e.g. in communication with a network, not shown), one or more parameters 136, control module 138 operably configured to control processing module 180 via port 139. Processing module 180 may include one or more of inventory 141, custom processor 160 (optionally with network interface 161), data 181 (optionally including tables 182), and vessel 105 (optionally containing stent 106).

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a high-level logic flow 200 of an operational process. Operation 210 describes receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient (e.g. receiver 130 receiving one or more of a patient identifier, a patient attribute, a customized stent feature, a handle for obtaining patient information, or the like). In some embodiments, the relation can be revealed or otherwise made accessible by a patient, healthcare provider or other user.

Operation 220 describes customizing one or more attributes of a stent ex situ as an at-least-roughly contemporaneous response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. processing module 180 making or adapting the stent directly or by proxy within about a month of obtaining the parameter from the specific patient). In some embodiments, a customization or adaptation event can be roughly contemporaneous with receiving a parameter if soon enough so that a substantial physiological change bearing upon the event is unlikely or unexpected. This can encompass as much as a few months or as little as a day in some instances, depending on the patient and the circumstances. Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that customization or adaptation systems and methods described herein that can take only a few minutes, or sometimes less, which can be especially useful for addressing an arterial perforation or similar emergency as may arise during a surgical procedure.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a high-level logic flow 300 of another operational process. Operation 330 describes receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient (e.g. receiver 130 receiving one or more of a patient identifier, a patient attribute, a customized stent feature, a handle for obtaining patient information, or the like). In some embodiments, the relation can be revealed or otherwise made accessible by a patient, healthcare provider or other user.

Operation 340 describes customizing one or more junctions of a stent ex situ in response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. processing module 180 making or adapting a friction-fit, joint, or adhesion between or along portions of the stent). In some embodiments processing module 180 can be configured to perform one or more operations of other flows taught herein as well, such as those taught in FIGS. 30-39. In some embodiments operation 340 can customize a junction in component form also, such as by ensuring a proper fit between components of a bifurcated stent designed for in situ assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown system 400 includes receiver 430 including one or more of parametric input 410, local interface 432, network interface 435, control module 438, or message parser 450. System 400 optionally couples to one or more implementation system (such as processing module 180 or the system of FIG. 5) via direct linkage 497 or (indirectly) via network linkage 498 and network 496. Parametric input 410 includes one or more of measurement input 411 or model input 412. Model input 412 can include one or more of patient identifier input 413, material identifier input 415, dimensional input 416, image input 418, inventory status input 419, component type input 420, or structure type indicator 421. Componet type input 420 can include one or more of stent type input 425, wire type input 426, or sheet type input 427. Structure type indicator 421 can include one or more of vascular type input 422, digestive type input 423, a renal type input (not shown), or some more specific or other categorical information that may assist in effective customization. Local interface 432 can include one or more of output device 433 or input device 434. Control module 438 can optionally include one or more instances of port 439, each of which may control a processing module such as that of FIG. 5, for example, via direct linkage 497 or network linkage 498.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown system 500 includes processing module 580 that can communicate with receiver 430 via direct linkage 597 or network linkage 598. Processing module 580 may contain one or more of custom processor 560, data manager 590, or vessel 588 configured for positioning stent 510 or its components during processing as described herein. In some embodiments, custom processor 560 can include one or more of network interface 561 (operable to interact with linkages 597, 598), stock designator 562, model implementer 563, applicator controller 564, or plant 570. Applicator controller 564 can optionally include or couple with one or more of antiproliferative agent dispenser 565, anticoagulant dispenser 567, antibiotic dispenser 568, substance applicator 569, or the like. Plant 570 can include one or more of inventory controller 540 or machine interface 571. In some embodiments, inventory controller 540 can include or couple with one or more of sheet inventory 541, stent inventory 542, wire inventory 543, frame inventory 545, sleeve inventory 546, or catheter inventory 547. Machine interface 571 can likewise include or couple with one or more of scribe controller 572 operable for controlling scribe 502, sheet bender controller 573 operable for controlling sheet bender 503, sheet stretcher controller 574 operable for controlling sheet stretcher 504, press controller 575 operable for controlling press controller 505, laser controller 578 operable for controlling laser 508, or bonder controller 579 operable for controlling bonder 509. Data manager 590 can include one or more of data 581, storage manager 591, or data aggregator 599. Data 581 can include table 582 containing several instances of record 585 each associating one or more identifiers 583 with one or more attributes 584 as well as other tables 586, as described herein. Storage manager 591 can include one or more of medical history 593 or regimen implementer 594, which can optionally include dosage profile 595.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that connections among instances of components of systems 400, 500 can exist transiently in some embodiments. In one scenario stent 510 can be formed from sheet inventory 541, for example, before being transported to another instance of system 500 at which it is coated by a substance applicator 569 and then compressed into a custom catheter from catheter inventory 547. In this fashion a stent may undergo multiple instances of specialization at various processing sites.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a high-level logic flow 600 of another operational process. Operation 610 describes obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage (e.g. receiver 130 receiving some quantity, cost, size, composition, configuration, distinguishing identifier or feature, or the like, of a just-designed stent or other stent in short supply). In some embodiments information from several inventories accessible to a requester is used in establishing the stent inventory shortage. Alternatively or additionally, the parameter can be obtained substantially in lieu of other indications of the inventory shortage.

Operation 620 describes configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. processing module 180 configuring the flow occlusion portion or a frame that supports it responsive to graphical or other positional indications describing a stent in short supply). In some embodiments, a “flow occlusion portion” is configured by causing a surface portion of the stent to be at least about 90% closed and alignable with a vessel opening or other anatomical feature (to be isolated from a flow, e.g.). Those skilled in the art will recognize that several variants of stents described herein include such alignable features, each tending to align at least partially with an a corresponding anatomical feature in situ, at least for a specific patient or class of patients.

Alternatively or additionally, the obtained parameter can relate to material compositions, physiological contexts, or other attributes as described herein that may correspond with the material or other shortage. In some embodiments an inventory may include only stent components, for example, that can be combined or otherwise configured in any of a very large array of distinct stent designs. Some such embodiments optionally define no initial inventory of stents with flow occlusion portions, for example, making each stent to order responsive to parameters that distinctly define each flow occlusion portion.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a high-level logic flow 700 of another operational process. Operation 760 describes receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient (e.g. receiver 130 receiving one or more of a patient identifier, a patient attribute, a customized stent feature, a handle for obtaining patient information, or the like). In some embodiments, the relation can be revealed or otherwise made accessible by a patient, healthcare provider or other user.

Operation 770 describes configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. processing module 180 forming the flow occlusion portion upon receiving an authorization code from the patient's care facility). In some embodiments, further handshaking occurs in response to receiving the parameter, for example, an outcome of which triggers the stent configuration. Such handshaking can involve, for example, offering a purchaser a choice of catheters in catheter inventory 547.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a high-level logic flow 800 of another operational process. Operation 880 describes obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage (e.g. receiver 130 receiving some quantity, cost, size, composition, configuration, distinguishing identifier or feature, or the like, of a just-designed stent or other stent in short supply). In some embodiments information from several inventories accessible to a requester is used in establishing the stent inventory shortage. Alternatively or additionally, the parameter can be obtained substantially in lieu of other indications of the inventory shortage (e.g. by parameters 156 designating some orders with an “EMERGENCY” status or other parameter indicating an elevated priority.

Operation 890 describes specializing one or more stents in response to obtaining the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. processing module 180 making or adapting several miscellaneous stents to order after receiving the order from a hospital in its vicinity). In some embodiments such stents can each be provided compressed within a respective short catheter from catheter inventory 547. In some embodiments, the short catheters can be customized by components of system 500 in various combinations as taught herein, substantially in the same manner as described with regard to customizing stents.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown an exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown component 900 comprises sheet material 910 in a substantially rectangular form including flexible mesh portion 921 (with numerous holes 925) and flow occlusion portion 922. Sheet material 910 can be formed into a stent by welding, soldering, gluing, or otherwise affixing junction edge 931 substantially along junction edge 932.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown stent 1000 comprises sheet material 910 of FIG. 9 rolled into a tube form and bonded as described so that profile 1067 is substantially circular. In some embodiments, a versatile and cost-effective “stent printer” can reside locally within a surgical, veterinary, or other care facility. Inventories of sheet materials and the like can be fed, positioned, or dispensed to form pleats, mesh configurations of a locally controllable density/rigidity, perforations, flow occlusion portions, or the like. Coatings can be formed controllably using toner or inkjet technology, for example, especially for stents with a small number of sheet material components and few junctions like those of FIGS. 9-19.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown system 1100 comprises a vascular probe with an intravascular portion 1117 inside blood vessel 1184 of a subject's vascular system. Intravascular portion 1117 can include hub 1192 comprising one or more of imaging/control circuitry 1120 or communication circuitry 1150. In some embodiments, system 1100 includes one or more elements as taught in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/414,164 (“Imaging via Blood Vessels”), incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent herewith. Blood vessel 1184 is shown in a vicinity of anomaly 1174, with blood 1183 in a flow 1182 through intravascular portion 1117. Anomaly 1174 protrudes somewhat radially from wall 1185 into surrounding tissue 1172. Sensor array 1121 is arranged about the circumference of intravascular portion 1117, including many elements 1128 generally oriented radially. With balloon 1113 and other deflector 1114 deflated, intravascular portion 1117 can easily advance upward using a guidewire until, for example, imaging/control circuitry 1120 can detect anomaly 1174 (via element 1128 and conduit 1155, e.g.). As shown, element 1128 has detected anomaly 1174 within its field of view 1135.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown system 1100 of FIG. 11 in another circumstance. Extension 1289 has entered intravascular portion 1117, substantially closing port 1299 to flow 1182. In some embodiments, hub 1192 can position extension 1289 in a controlled relation to anomaly 1174 by virtue of the imaging from sensor array 1121 and a controlled degree of axial and rotational position of extension 1289.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there is shown system 1100 of FIG. 11 in another circumstance. Here, intravascular portion 1117 has been partly withdrawn (downward as shown) to reveal extension 1289 as a collapsed stent 1350 through which balloon 1352 passes. Stent 1350 is positioned distally and rotationally so that patch 1322 substantially aligns with anomaly 1174. A remaining surface (e.g. frame 1321) need not be flow occlusive and can be a sheet material mesh, a wire frame, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 14, there is shown a partly cut away view of stent 1350 in system 1100 of FIG. 11. As shown, stent 1350 has been expanded by balloon 1352 so that pleats 1415 are each substantially restored to a flat configuration. As shown, patch 1322 aligns over anomaly 1174, substantially reducing flow adjacent anomaly 1174. This general approach can be used to reduce a risk that anomaly 1174 will metastasize, cause a leakage of fluid into or out of vessel 1184, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 15, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown system 1500 comprises stent 1550 in collapsed form to highlight the use of pleats 1551, 1552 to collapse stent 1550. Each of the pleats is aligned generally axially along stent 1550, joining successive instances of smooth portion 1553 of a sheet material. The effect is so that stent 1550 is collapsed to a diameter 1567 while passing through a catheter and then expanded in situ via balloon 1588 to about twice that diameter.

Referring now to FIG. 16, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown system 1600 comprises stent 1650 in collapsed form to highlight the use of substantially helical or other curvilinear pleats 1651, 1652 so that stent 1650 can pass through catheter 1639. As shown stent 1650 has been collapsed to a diameter 1667 smaller than one-sixth of its expanded cross-sectional diameter. Even so, an inner diameter 1666 has been maintained at least about 25% as large as diameter 1667 so that balloon 1688 can be urged substantially through stent 1650 before or after collapsing stent 1650.

Referring now to FIG. 17, there is shown a heuristic model 1700 of a forked blood vessel comprising a broad-based aneurysm 1720, an inlet 1701 and two outlets 1702, 1703. As shown, blood flow passes through broad-based aneurysm, creating pressure and a risk of rupture. Moreover the large base makes the aneurysm difficult to treat, for example, by ordinary techniques such as a Guglielmi Detachable Coil (GDC), which can fall out of a broad-based aneurysm and occlude blood vessels. In some embodiments, models such as heuristic model 1700 can be generated (at least initially) by angiography or other imaging technology.

Referring now to FIG. 18, there is shown a model of stent 1800 customized for the forked blood vessel of FIG. 17. Mesh portion 1821 along the top as shown extents from flow inlet 1801 to flow outlet 1802 around (oval-shaped) branch outlet 1803. Flow occlusive portion 1822 similarly extends along the bottom of stent 1800 from flow inlet 1801 to flow outlet 1802. Taper portion 1875 shows a short interval across which diameter of stent 1800 narrows at a perceptible rate (less than 20%, as shown) from a uniform diameter along cylindrical portion 1876. Also a substantial portion of occlusion site 1820 (configured to occlude broad-based aneurysm 1720) has a thrombogenic surface coated or otherwise formed thereon. (In some embodiments, a thrombogenic surface can be one that is more thrombogenic than pure titanium.)

Referring now to FIG. 19, there is depicted a physical environment 1900 in which stent 1800 has been implanted. As shown blood flows from inlet 1901 to outlet 1902 and to outlet 1903, substantially occluded from aneurysm 1920. Also GDC coil 1928 has been implanted into aneurysm 1920, promoting clot formation and minimizing further pressure on the distended tissue of aneurysm 1920.

Referring now to FIG. 20, there is shown a heuristic model 2000 of human organs comprising stomach 2072, liver 2047, gallbladder 2093, duodenum 2089, and pancreas 2035. As shown, bile duct 2024 is substantially narrowed in region 2020, creating a risk blockage. Such blockage can interfere with the digestion of fats and can potentially cause jaundice and a variety of other serious problems.

Referring now to FIG. 21, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown system 2100 shows a more magnified view 2121 of region 2020 of FIG. 20. Also stent 2150 has been implanted after being customized, for example, with nominal diameter 2151 and radius of curvature 2152 (to a nominal flow path center 2156, e.g.) customized to the specific patient's narrowed portion of bile duct 2024. In some embodiments, an ideal size can be determined by applying a formula to the patient's size, age, gender, symptoms, or the like. An appropriate stent can then be selected for cases in which an off-the-shelf stent provides a satisfactory fit, or customized in other cases.

Referring now to FIG. 22, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown site model 2200 includes and aorta 2267 with a fusiform abdominal aortic aneurysm 2205, as well as kidneys 2280, and iliac artery 2235 for reference. As shown aorta 2267 presents a very challenging stenting site, in that vital arteries emerge from aneurysm 2205—renal arteries 2281, 2282 and mesenteric arteries 2216—that should not be occluded for very long during implantation. Interruptions in flow to these arteries can damage kidneys 2280, for example. Moreover a rupture of aneurysm 2205 or any flawed stent deployment are serious risks.

In one scenario, site model 2200 is initially received as MRI or similar anatomical data from the specific patient, such as by model implementer 563. Model implementer may likewise recognize aneurysm 2205 and present a default stent model 2210. Alternatively or additionally, a surgeon may provide some stent parameters such as locations of flow port 2201, 2202, such as with a pointing device or by providing a stent model name like “Fusiform Abdominal Aortic M” by which stent model 2210 may be retrieved, adapted, or implemented. In some embodiments, renal arteries 2281, 2282 and mesenteric arteries 2216 are fitted with short sleeves 2231, 2232 as shown, for example, by application of the model or by specification of the surgeon. Alternatively or additionally, local interface 432 may permit a surgeon to signal a succession of the “Fusiform Abdominal Aortic” models graphically, which succession may be accompanied by statistics, supporting literature, components, sources, or the like relating to that model for the surgeon's consideration.

Referring now to FIG. 23, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown model stent 2300 comprises body 2379 and sleeves 2311, 2312, 2316 custom suited to site model 2200. For deployment it should be considered how these components can be compresses for passage through, for example, iliac artery 2235 and femoral artery (not shown). Some junctions, such as that shown in region 2323 between sleeve 2312 and body 2379, can be an important design issue for effective deployment.

Referring now to FIG. 24, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown region 2424 shows a magnified view of region 2323 of FIG. 23. Here, inverted sleeve 2412 illustrates one approach to compressing sleeve 2312 for placement within a catheter (not shown) for a version of stent 2300 that integrates sleeve 2312 and body 2379.

Referring now to FIG. 25, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown region 2525 shows another magnified view of region 2323 of FIG. 23. Here, annular pleats 2515 illustrate an alternative approach to compressing sleeve 2312 for placement within a catheter. In some embodiments, annular pleats can be expanded in situ as a bellows. For example, a probe with a guidewire can press through an end of the (initially closed) sleeve 2312 to provide blood flow quickly to kidney 2280 upon deployment. In such a deployment, an imaging system can be used to prevent the guidewire from damaging the aorta 2267 or renal artery 2282.

Referring now to FIG. 26, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown sheet component 2600 includes sheet material 2612 coated with second agent 2615 and first agent 2618 each with a controlled thickness and surface area.

Referring now to FIG. 27, there is shown an elution profile 2700 by which (localized) dosages 2731 are schematically plotted against time 2732 in increments 2733 such as days or weeks. As shown, first dosage profile drops off sharply in the third and fourth time increments, during which time second agent dosage 2702 increases steadily. Those skilled in the art will recognize that customizing such drug elution profiles by these teachings can be used as an effective alternative or supplement to systemic regimens that complement the stenting treatment.

Referring now to FIG. 28, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown wire component 2800 includes wire material 2812 coated with second agent 2815 and first agent 2818 each with a controlled thickness and surface area.

Referring now to FIG. 29, there is shown an elution profile 2900 by which (localized) dosages 2931 are schematically plotted against time 2932 in increments 2933 such as days or weeks. As shown, first dosage profile drops off sharply in the first and second time increments, and second agent dosage 2902 increases steadily through the first four increments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that customizing such drug elution profiles by these teachings can be used as an effective alternative or supplement to systemic regimens that complement the stenting treatment.

In some embodiments, first agents 2618, 2818 include one or more of an anticoagulant or antiplatelet and second agents 2615, 2815 include one or more of an antiproliferative. Alternatively or additionally, first agents 2618, 2818 can include an antibiotic. Alternatively or additionally, second agents 2615, 2815 can include a chemotherapy treatment (responsive to an indication of an anomaly that may be cancerous, e.g.). In some embodiments, an elutive customization of one structure is generated in response to an elutive attribute of another structure (e.g. displaying information about an off-the-shelf version of wire component 2800 before receiving a customized regimen for sheet component 2600).

Referring now to FIG. 30, there are shown several variants of the flow 200 of FIG. 2. Operation 210—receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 3012, 3014, or 3017. Operation 220—customizing one or more attributes of a stent ex situ as an at-least-roughly contemporaneous response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 3021, 3022, 3025, 3026, 3027, 3028, or 3029.

Operation 3012 describes receiving a heuristic model identifier as the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. model input 412 receiving a filename or record number of a model of a broad-based aneurysm). The model may call for or utilize parameters such as vessel size, vessel curvature, vessel elasticity, or the like. In some embodiments such parameters can be provided via image input 418 or provided or modified by local interface 432. This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which operation 210 is performed by receiver 430 and in which operation 220 is performed by processing module 580.

Operation 3014 describes receiving an identifier of the specific patient with the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. patient identifier input 413 receiving a patient name or number in a common record or message with one or more parameters that may guide stent customization). In some embodiments, the parameter includes a placements site descriptor such as “intracranial,” “peripheral vascular,” “intraabdominal,” “intrathoracic,” or the like, or a code corresponding with such a descriptor. Alternatively or additionally the parameter may include or accompany a pathology descriptor such as “AVM” (for an arteriovenous malformation), “fistula,” “stenosis,” “aneurysm,” or the like, for example, for a vascular stent.

Operation 3017 describes receiving a composite material identifier as the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. material identifier input 415 identifying nitinol or other titanium-containing alloy relating to a stent component). Alternatively or additionally, material identifier input 415 can identify a second layer such as a silver-containing plating on a sheet material or wire material as the stent component.

Operation 3021 describes selecting a template responsive to the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. stock designator 562 selecting a sheet material as a thinnest template that is thick enough or a thickest template that is thin enough). In some instances, a plating, texturing, or other template surface property can affect template selection as well.

Operation 3022 describes customizing the selected template responsive to other information relating to the specific patient (e.g. sheet stretcher controller 574 stretching at least a portion of the designated stock to obtain a desired thinness with sheet stretcher 504). In some instances, mechanical manipulations of operation 3022 are delayed until a specific instruction or other confirmatory action from a buyer or user is detected. Alternatively or additionally, press controller 575 or other portions of machine interface 571 can perform operation 3022.

Operation 3025 describes customizing a material composition of the stent responsive to the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. applicator controller 564 applying one or more coatings of a heparinoid via anticoagulant dispenser 567, responsive to a bleeding risk such as a brain tumor or history of gastrointestinal bleeding). In some instances, a user may signal an anticoagulant application in lieu of explicitly entering such a diagnosis. Alternatively or additionally, a less-specific pathology such as “cannot safely receive systemic anticoagulation” can be interpreted in a like fashion.

Operation 3026 describes customizing one or more apertures of the stent responsive to the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. laser controller 578 implementing a stent in a convergent flow path, such as in a vein). Alternatively or additionally, one or more divergent flow paths can be facilitated such as by branch outlet 1803 of stent 1800 of FIG. 18.

Operation 3027 describes associating a medication regimen with the specific patient (e.g. regimen implementer 594 signaling a structure with a long-lasting antiproliferative agent responsive to a medical history 593 indicating the patient's risk of vascular stenosis from stenting). In some embodiments the antiproliferative agent can be covered at first with an antiplatelet agent or an antibiotic.

Operation 3028 describes implementing the medication regimen associated with the specific patient ex situ (e.g. regimen implementer 594 generating a recipe for a succession of medication-containing coatings responsive to user-input dosage profiles like those of FIGS. 27 & 29. In some embodiments a user selects from a variety of defined dosage profiles of therapeutic agents such as angiogenic agents, anti-inflammatories, anti-leukocytes, antilymphocytes, antimitotics, antioxidants, antiproliferatives, anti-restenotics, beta blockers, cardio protectants, hormones, hypertension drugs, immunosuppressants, retinoids, statins, thrombolytics, vasoactive agents, or the like.

Operation 3029 describes customizing a dosage of a portion of the stent responsive to the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. dosage profile 595 indicating a specific coating pattern that is thicker and more strongly bonded in a case for which a patient needs a therapeutic agent that can last for several months or more). In some instances, dosage profile 595 can supplement the stent's therapeutic agent with a systemic application of the agent. In other instances, a systemic application of the therapeutic agent can be reduced or omitted so long as a stent will continue to administer the therapeutic agent.

Referring now to FIG. 31, there are shown several variants of the flow 200 of FIG. 2 or 30. Operation 210—receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 3113, 3116, or 3117. Operation 220—customizing one or more attributes of a stent ex situ as an at-least-roughly contemporaneous response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 3122, 3123, 3125, 3127, 3128, or 3129.

Operation 3113 describes receiving an indication of a digestive system structure as the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. digestive type input 423 indicating “yes” responsive to a stenting site in the digestive system as shown in FIG. 20). In some embodiments such a type may cause a stent to be customized with one or more of an antibiotic, a larger flexibility, or a chemically inert surface, for example. In some instances the digestive type input can likewise be recorded in the specific patient's medical history to indicate what kind of stent was used or what caused that kind of stent to be used, for example to track a stent failure rate by context.

Operation 3116 describes receiving one or more dimensions including at least the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. dimensional input 416 receiving a diameter of anomaly 1174 as seen by sensor array 1121). In some embodiments, a heuristic model of a round anomaly with a defined center and diameter sufficiently characterizes an occlusion target so that further shape information need not be obtained.

Operation 3117 describes receiving stent component quantity information with the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. inventory status information 419 indicating that the stent includes patch 1322 as a component). This can facilitate costing, insurance coverage, inventory adjustment, or the like when and if stent 1350 is constructed physically.

Operation 3122 describes forming an antiproliferative surface of the stent (e.g. applicator controller 564 applying a compound containing the antiproliferative(s) onto the stent via antiproliferative agent dispenser 565). In some embodiments, the antiproliferative surface of a stent body is covered by one or more additional layers such as those of FIGS. 26 & 28.

Operation 3123 describes applying at least one of an anticoagulant or an anti-platelet agent to the stent after forming the antiproliferative surface of the stent (e.g. applicator controller 564 applying an anticoagulant-containing mixture onto a coated stent via anticoagulant dispenser 567). In the embodiment of FIG. 26, for example, a relatively thin layer of antiproliferative is applied to sheet material 2612 (by dipping or spraying, e.g.) as second agent 2615. The first agent 2618 can optionally be applied afterward to at least a portion of second agent 2615.

Operation 3125 describes bending a component of the stent ex situ as the at-least-roughly contemporaneous response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. sheet bender controller 573 implementing a pleating pattern like that of FIG. 15 with sheet bender 503 to fit stent 1550 into a catheter larger than diameter 1567, responsive to an indication that such a catheter is or will be used for the specific patient). Alternatively or additionally, operation 3125 can be performed upon a heuristic model, such as by model implementer 563. In some embodiments, more than ten pairs of pleats are used to fit a large stent through a selected catheter.

Operation 3127 describes forming a flow occlusion portion of the stent responsive to the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. press controller 575 forming few or no openings in flow occlusion portion 1821 while making stent 1800). In some embodiments, stamp controller 575 simultaneously forms other structural features of stent 1800 such as pleats, flow holes, pliability holes (e.g. holes 925 of FIG. 9).

Operation 3128 describes modifying a stiffness of the stent responsive to the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. sheet stretcher controller 574 can reduce a stiffness of a sheet material 910 or sheet material 2612 with sheet stretcher 504, responsive to an indication that the unstretched stock is too stiff). Alternatively or additionally, pliability-enhancing holes (such as those of FIG. 9) or etching or machining or the like can be used for a similar reduction of stiffness.

Operation 3129 describes customizing the one or more attributes of the stent ex situ within one month of receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. model implementer 563 adapting a defined stent responsive to one or more of patient identifier input 413, material identifier input 415, image input 418, validations, or the like responsive to expert guidance from various specialists who provide the input data at various times). In various embodiments, an least an initial customization can be performed within a narrower interval—e.g. within one week, within one day, within one hour, or within about ten minutes of measuring or otherwise receiving the parameter. After the initial customization, of course, a virtual or physical stent may be completed, retrofitted, updated, further customized, or the like, within the scope of these teachings.

Operation 3211 describes retrieving a record including at least the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. network interface 435 requesting a medical history or other record transfer from a remote data source, not shown). Alternatively or additionally, the retrieval can include an at-least-roughly contemporaneous completion deadline, a diagnosis, an angiographic reconstruction, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 32, there are shown several variants of the flow 200 of FIGS. 2, 30, or 31. Operation 210—receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 3211, 3214, 3215, 3216, or 3217. Operation 3250 describes performing one or more additional operations (e.g. machine interface 571 compressing the customized stent into an off-the-shelf catheter segment). In some embodiments, operation 3250 can include further aspects of customization, billing, shipping, quality control, material inventory control, component testing, market trends, field performance tracking, regulatory compliance, or the like, for example. In some embodiments, operation 3250 may include one or more of the following operations: 3252, 3253, or 3259.

Operation 3214 describes prompting user input (e.g. output device 133 or the like prompting an input from a surgeon or other information provider). In some instances, output device can comprise a display screen or audio interface in a user environment, for example.

Operation 3215 describes receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient via an interface after prompting the user input (e.g. input device 134 or the like receiving a patient name or status as the parameter relating to the specific patient). In some instances, the parameter can take a default value directly from an MRI or similar data gathering device, responsive to a lack of response from an emergency room doctor. A stent customization can thus occur, in some embodiments, as a direct response to a patient need and without any contemporaneous participation by a care provider.

Operation 3216 describes receiving a pathological indication with the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. message parser 450 receiving a medical history or the like indicating that the specific patient has been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma). In some embodiments, such an indication can bear toward a stent with a local chemotherapy regimen, for example.

Operation 3217 describes receiving shape information including at least the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. dimensional input 416 receiving several three dimensional models from MRI readings, showing how a shape of a segment of specific patient's basilar artery changes during a hearbeat). In some embodiments dimensional input 416 is received as an automatically generated default stent design enabling a surgeon to review and alter the design before providing an authorization to build the actual stent.

Operation 3252 describes marking the stent ex situ with identifying information relating to the one or more customized attributes of the stent (e.g. scribe controller 572 identifying a model or serial number of “XLT259” in an X-ray readable form with scribe 502). In some embodiments a portion of this number signify a material, structure, or subcomponent manufacturer explicitly (such as the “T” signifying titanium in this example). In some embodiments the number can be related to a customized component, for example, by including record 585 linking that identifier with one or more attributes (such as a sheet thickness) in table 582.

Operation 3253 describes aggregating data including at least the parameter relating to the specific patient and other information in a database (e.g. data aggregator 599 archiving stent manufacturing records with a patient or stent identifier). In some embodiments the records can include drug or material sources, exact dimensions, date and place of manufacture, stent designer, patient, intended site, caregiver, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, some of this information may be written explicitly on the stent. Such information can later be correlated with stent failures, for example.

Operation 3259 describes recording an identifier of the stent with the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. storage manager 591 recording a custom stent serial number or specification in medical history 593). In some embodiments the medical history 593 can further indicate a custom stent order date, a stent shipment date, or other contemporaneous patient information including the parameter(s) affecting customization.

Referring now to FIG. 33, there are shown several variants of the flow 200 of FIGS. 2, 30, 31, or 32. Operation 210—receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 3313 or 3316.

Operation 220—customizing one or more attributes of a stent ex situ as an at-least-roughly contemporaneous response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 3322, 3323, 3324, 3327, or 3328.

Operation 3313 describes receiving information at least partly relating to a stent inventory shortage including at least the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. inventory status input 419 and stent type input 425 jointly receiving indications that a surgeon wants stent models A, B, and C for a specific patient, and that stent model B is not in stock). In some embodiments the arrival of the stent type input 425 via message parser 450 triggers an automatic inquiry for inventory status input 419, for example.

Operation 3316 describes receiving an indication of a linkage between the parameter and the specific patient (e.g. message parser 450 receiving a record indicating that patient Greg Johnson had an abnormally high blood pressure reading on April 17). In this instance, patient identifier input 413 can identify Greg Johnson, for example with a patient number or the like. The parameter can be “HBP” or a numeric measurement of blood pressure as measurement input 411 or the like.

Operation 3322 describes configuring one or more lateral sleeves in a portion of the stent responsive to the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. model implementer 563 generating stent model 2210 including sleeve 2231 and sleeve 2232 responsive to an angiographic reconstruction including site model 2200). In some embodiments bonder controller 579 performs operation 3322 by applying a portion of stent model 2210 to sleeve inventory 546 to affix sleeve 2311 and sleeve 2312 physically to stent body 2379.

Operation 3323 describes configuring one or more pleats of the stent ex situ responsive to the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. sheet bender controller 573 applying stent model 2210 to form annular pleats 2515 with sheet bender 503). In other embodiments, sheet bender controller 573 can configure pleat 1651 and pleat 1652 in the configuration of FIG. 16 responsive at least to outer diameter 1667.

Operation 3324 describes combining at least a first stent component and a second stent component responsive to information including at least the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. bonder controller 579 supporting an occlusive patch 1322 with a non-occluding expandable wire frame 1321, such as by gluing them at an array of bonding points). In other embodiments a patch, flexible skin, or the like can be buttressed by a wire frame without substantial bonding.

Operation 3327 describes cutting one or more flow holes in a component of the stent responsive to the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. laser controller 578, press controller 575, a drill, a punch, or the like cutting a flow hole to form branch outlet 1803 before or after rolling a sheet material into a tube). In some embodiments the flow hole sizes are selected to match stock sizes of sleeves, blood vessel sizes, or the like consistent with the requirements of the stenting site and other medical objectives.

Operation 3328 describes including an antibiotic on the stent responsive to the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. applicator controller 564 using antibiotic dispenser 568 for implementing a thickness, surface area, active ingredient concentration, binding agent concentration, drug placement, complementary regimen, or the like to achieve dosage profile 595 selected for the patient). In some embodiments, a flow rate through the intended stent affects a computer model that predicts an antibiotic elution rate for the heuristic stent model.

Referring now to FIG. 34, there are shown several variants of the flow 300 of FIG. 3. Operation 330—receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 3432 or 3434. Operation 340—customizing one or more junctions of a stent ex situ in response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 3443, 3444, 3445, 3447, or 3449.

Operation 3432 describes receiving a measurement as the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. measurement input 411 receiving a vascular segment length, vascular diameter, vascular wall plaque dimension, vascular calcification level, vascular branch or occlusion location coordinates, or the like). In some embodiments, the measurement can identify a systemic deficiency such as a deficiency of Antithrombin III, Protein C, or Protein S, signaling a hypercoagulability risk. Risks like these can bear toward a more sparing use of stents or a liberal or long-lasting local or systemic regimen of anticoagulants. This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which operation 330 is performed by receiver 430 and in which operation 340 is performed by processing module 580.

Operation 3434 describes receiving a category identifier as the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. patient identifier input 413 receiving an indication that a stent is to be provided for a cancer patient, an elderly patient, a patient with an allergy, or the like). Alternatively or additionally, the category identifier can relate to a risk type, a placement site, a stent material, a model name, an emergency status, or the like.

Operation 3443 describes receiving a heuristic model of the one or more junctions of the stent (e.g. network interface 561 receiving stent model 2210, which includes sleeve 2231 joining a conduit between flow port 2201 and flow port 2202). In some embodiments, junctions combine lengths of a stent along a flow path, such as in cases in which a single stent length or width is too large to deploy through a tortuous access. Stent 2300, for example, may be difficult to implant through a femoral artery (not shown) and iliac artery 2235, especially if implemented in a thick material. In one variant, body 2379 is formed and installed initially with openings in lieu of sleeves 2311, 2312, and 2316. Each of the sleeves 2311, 2312, and 2316 can then be placed into its respective opening in turn, the junctions between each sleeve and body 2379 comprising a custom-built friction fit or the like.

Operation 3444 describes updating the heuristic model with the received parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. model implementer 563 and network interface 561 adjusting stent model 2210 to indicate a “High” tortuosity of an access path through iliac artery 2235). In some embodiments, such an indicator may correspond with a small radius of access vessel curvature, for example, necessitating a looser pleating configuration so that a relatively large and thick stent body material is not deformed inelastically during implantation.

Operation 3445 describes customizing the one or more junctions of the stent with the received heuristic model of the one or more junctions of the stent updated with the received parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. press controller 575 forming holes in body 2379 via the adjusted stent model 2210 and press 505). The sleeve joints can be adjusted, in this example, so that they are compatible with a design of body 2379 that can survive passage through the tortuous access path.

Operation 3447 describes adapting the one or more junctions of the stent responsive to the received parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. model implementer 563 and press controller 575 respectively performing operations 3444 and 3445). Alternatively or additionally, operation 3447 can include substance applicator 569 selecting second agent 2615 as a material that can more effectively bind first agent 2618 to sheet material 2612. In some embodiments, machine interface 571 performs operation 3447 by joining junction edges 931, 932 with an adhesive to which the patient is not allergic, responsive to an allergy indication of the patient).

Operation 3449 describes customizing the one or more junctions of the stent as an at-least-roughly contemporaneous response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. sheet bender controller 573 customizing locations of pleats 1651, 1652 with sheet bender 503 so that successive pleats are of irregular spacing, responsive to an indication of a small catheter diameter for the patient). In some embodiments, access vessel diameter and other patient attributes or circumstances dictate a maximum inner diameter of a catheter to be used, for example. Each of the pleats 1651, 1652 in FIG. 16 joins a wider smooth portion to a narrower smooth portion, for example. (This difference facilitates a slight curl of the smooth portions, as shown.) This junction placement configuration permits width differences more than 5% between successive smooth portions, as shown, which facilitates the spiral pleating configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 35, there are shown several variants of the flow 600 of FIG. 6. Operation 610—obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage—may include one or more of the following operations: 3513, 3515, or 3518. Operation 620—configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage—may include one or more of the following operations: 3521, 3522, 3523, 3527, or 3528.

Operation 3513 describes receiving data at least partly relating to a specific patient including at least the parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage (e.g. inventory status input 419 receiving an indication that no Blue Cross Network healthcare provider currently has a 10% tapering 23 millimeter stent in inventory, responsive to an inquiry identifying the provider and describing the stent type sought). Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the flow occlusion portion of operation 620 is configured in response to the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. shrinking or enlarging flow occlusion portion 922 to adapt an almost-ideal stent responsive to an indication that the ideal stent is currently out of stock). This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which operation 610 is performed by receiver 430 and in which operation 620 is performed by processing module 580.

Operation 3515 describes receiving an indication of a position of an anatomical feature as the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. image input 418 receiving one or more MRI or ultrasound images each with a descriptive annotation indicating that a potential stenting site of a ureter is depicted). In some instances such an annotation can cause model implementer 563 to customize the stent by signaling applicator controller 564 to include an antibiotic, for example.

Operation 3518 describes receiving an indication of an aperture as the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. model input 412 receiving an indication that no stents with secondary apertures larger than 1.1 millimeters in diameter are presently inventoried). In some instances, the received indication may explicitly rank available stents or sheet components in a decreasing order of aperture size match or other suitability indicator. Alternatively or additionally, the ranking may take into account other factors such as an expected custom-stent completion date.

Operation 3521 describes binding an antiproliferative agent to the flow occlusion portion of the stent (e.g. applicator controller 565 binding the agent to at least a portion of an occlusion site at patch 1322 of FIGS. 13-14). This binding can be performed by dipping at least a portion of patch 1322 into antiproliferative agent dispenser 565 (containing rapamycin or cyclosporine, for example) before collapsing stent 1350.

Operation 3522 describes customizing the stent with information relating to a specific patient, the information relating to the specific patient including at least the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. applicator controller 564 or machine interface 571 customizing a coating or structure of a stent component responsive to the specific patient's stenosis risk factors). The flow occlusion site can be widened, or a coating of the site can be made to include a stronger antiproliferative agent, for example, responsive to a high restenosis risk.

Operation 3523 describes allocating the customized stent to the specific patient (e.g. inventory controller 540 modifying stent inventory 542 to indicate that the stent is sold or otherwise reserved for the specific patient relating to specifications used in making that stent). In some embodiments, only a single attribute of the patient can affect a mode of stent customization (e.g. impregnating the stent with an antibiotic responsive to a presence of infection, and otherwise using an off-the-shelf stent). In other embodiments, a combination of patient attributes can affect the mode of stent customization (e.g. selecting a vascular stent size responsive to a combination of indications: size and degree of calcification of a specific vessel, e.g.).

Operation 3527 describes obtaining one or more dimensions of the flow occlusion portion of the stent (e.g. data manager 590 retrieving one or more of a length, width, or thickness of the flow occlusion portion from table 586 responsive to a model identifier of a stent in short supply). In some embodiments, such dimensions can be used for determining a feasibility of constructing an inventory of (a) structurally equivalent flow occlusion stents or (b) functionally-equivalent-but-structurally-distinct flow occlusion stents, closely resembling a stent model approved by the Food and Drug Administration. In some embodiments such determinations can be made automatically, for example in facilitating an efficient mode of compliance with FDA guidelines.

Operation 3528 describes configuring the flow occlusion portion of the stent as the response to the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. model implementer 563 generating a feasible heuristic stent model by adapting the above-referenced approved model to incorporate only components that are available). Machine interface 571 or a remote counterpart thereof can then use the adapted model to configure one or more physical components.

Referring now to FIG. 36, there are shown several variants of the flow 600 of FIG. 6 or 35. Operation 610—obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage—may include one or more of the following operations: 3613, 3614, 3616, or 3618. Operation 620—configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage—may include one or more of the following operations: 3621, 3622, 3624, 3625, 3626, or 3627.

Operation 3613 describes receiving a stent quantity indicator as the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. inventory status input 419 receiving an indication that a surgeon has asked to reserve one of stent type X and two of stent type Y, and but that only one of each is in stock). In some embodiments an output device indicates a shortage quantity (of the type X, for example) or a proposal for a lot size to be produced.

Operation 3614 describes receiving a material composition indicator as the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. material identifier input 415 indicating that anti-platelent-agent-coated stents are sought from an inventory). In some embodiments model input 412 can combine this with inventory status input 419 to reply that no such stents are available from the inventory, or that only two 14-millimeter-long stents with the specified coating are available.

Operation 3616 describes receiving a shape indicator as the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. message parser 450 receiving an oblong or arc-shaped indicator relating to a surgeon's “ideal stent” model). The shape indicator can be used for generating a “default stent” design that specifies sheet materials, wire materials, medications, coatings, or the like.

Operation 3618 describes receiving a size indicator as the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. dimensional input 416 receiving a diameter, thickness, length, or other feature size relating to an inventoried stent, a readily-made stent, an anatomical feature size for stent customization, or the like). In some embodiments the size indicator is retrieved or requested or accepted via a search tool or a browser, for example.

Operation 3621 describes configuring a wire structure in response to the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. one or more portions of applicator controller 564 forming wire material 2812 into a generally tubular shape). In some embodiments, those skilled in the art can implement operation 3621 by applying teachings herein to adapt construction techniques described in documents like U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/104,672 (“Modular Stent Graft Assembly and Use Thereof”). Alternatively or additionally, an elastic coating can be used so that deforming the stent will minimize a risk of breakage in the coating. In other embodiments an elastic binding agent is used before or after the primary coating, substantially preventing such breakage. Alternatively or additionally, the primary coating can primarily be applied to portions of sheet material 2612 or wire material 2812 that do not substantially change shape during stent compression or expansion.

Operation 3622 describes constructing the stent with the flow occlusion portion by supporting a flow occlusion structure with the wire structure (e.g. bonder controller 579 assembling the stent with bonder 509 using an occlusive structure customized for identified needs of the specific patient). In some embodiments, press controller 575 can form the structure before the assembly. Alternatively or additionally, network interface 561 can custom-order the occlusive structure.

Operation 3624 describes configuring the flow occlusion portion as a part of the response to the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. substance applicator 569 at least partly coating portion 922 of stent 1000 to implement a patient-specific regimen like that shown in FIG. 27). In some embodiments, those skilled in the art can implement operation 3624 by applying teachings herein to adapt coating techniques described in documents like U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/915,980 (“Method for Applying Drug Coating to a Medical Device in Surgeon Room”).

Operation 3625 describes configuring the stent with the flow occlusion portion as an at-least-roughly contemporaneous response to obtaining the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. substance applicator 569 adding material to a mesh so as to build it up into a flow occlusion portion). In some embodiments substance applicator 569 can essentially pour a viscous biocompatible liquid resin onto the mesh, for example, hardening into a solid occlusion site.

Operation 3626 describes forming a sheet material into a rigid element in response to the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. bonder controller 579 adhesing or otherwise attaching junction edge 931 with junction edge 932 in response to a stent or vessel diameter or circumference consistent with stent profile 1067). In some embodiments, bonder controller 579 controls bonder 509 remotely or with some human assistance. Alternatively or additionally, another portion of machine interface 571 performs a prior operation of cutting sheet material 910 responsive to the obtained parameter.

Operation 3627 describes including at least the rigid element in the stent (e.g. custom processor 560 including at least sheet material 910 in stent 1000). Portions of custom processor 560 can likewise perform additional operations such as coating sheet material 910 as sheet material 2612 (e.g. by portions of applicator controller 564 as described herein and shown in FIG. 26).

Referring now to FIG. 37, there are shown several variants of the flow 600 of FIGS. 6, 35, or 36. Operation 610—obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage—may include one or more of the following operations: 3711, 3712, 3714, 3716, or 3719. Operation 620—configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage—may include one or more of the following operations: 3721, 3722, 3725, 3727, or 3728.

Operation 3711 describes prompting user input (e.g. output device 433 displaying “High” pliability, a “2-3 mm” installed diameter, a “1.5 mm max” collapsed diameter each as default parameter values a user can change via input device 434). In some embodiments, input device 134 includes a pointing device such as can be used to adjust any of these from a pop-up menu of allowable choices. In some embodiments, these or other parameters can be assigned to any value.

Operation 3712 describes receiving the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage via an interface after prompting the user input (e.g. model input 412 receiving an indication that zero off-the-shelf stents satisfy a sufficiently high percentage of criteria comprising the user input). In some embodiments, model input 412 may then request a custom stent specification using component inventory information such as sheet type input 427, and indicate this specification via output device 433 as the parameter(s) relating to the stent inventory shortage.

Operation 3714 describes receiving an indication of a vascular system structure as the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. vascular type input 422 indicating “true” generally to indicate a vascular device, blood vessel(s) for which the stent(s) are sought, or the like). Categorical information like this can be used for retrieving related models, case histories, available stent and stent component inventories, or the like. It can also be used for deciding upon a customized or off-the-shelf stent, coating, or structural component, for example. In some embodiments, a text-valued vascular type input can likewise be received, such as a blood vessel name.

Operation 3716 describes retrieving the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage from an inventory (e.g. inventory status input 419 and network interface 435 jointly requesting and receiving a stent or stent component inventory status of all available sources within 100 kilometers of the requester). The identifiers and quantities in the retrieved aggregate stent or stent component inventory can each constitute parameters relating to the stent inventory shortage that can be useful in some instances.

Operation 3719 describes receiving a message comprising at least the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. message parser 450 receiving an advertisement or other source indication that can provide a wire type input such as a wire gauge or wire alloy description). In some embodiments, message parser 450 may be implemented as a web crawler that independently gathers stent information from diverse suppliers or specifications.

Operation 3721 describes configuring the stent with a pleat configuration responsive to the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. sheet bender controller 573 forming helical or other substantially curvaceous pleats with sheet bender 503). See, for example, pleats 1652 of FIG. 16. In some embodiments, a collapse-pleating configuration can be computer-optimized to minimize a risk of buckling or other damage as a custom-pleated stent passes through a real catheter mimicked by a heuristic catheter model. For example, in some instances a catheter can be modeled adequately by an inner diameter (such as diameter 1667 of FIG. 16) and a degree of tortuosity (such as H, M, or L). In some embodiments the collapse-pleating configuration can likewise take into account an inner diameter of a collapsed stent (such as diameter 1668 of FIG. 16) or other factors as described herein.

Operation 3722 describes including the flow occlusion portion of the stent responsive to the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. stock designator 562 and sheet inventory 541 jointly nominating sheet material 910 having flow occlusion portion 922 responsive to indications that sheet material 910 is the only on-site component of a desired rigidity and that flow occlusion portion 922 will not impair stent performance). Of course in other embodiments, as explained above, a flow occlusion portion may be a value-enhancing stent feature, a required search criterion, or a significant feature presented to a system user to facilitate the system user's stent selection. Also in other instances the flow occlusion portion is included by machine interface 571 configuring the stent physically with such a feature.

Operation 3725 describes configuring the stent with a dividing flow path responsive to the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. machine interface 571 automatically configuring stent 1800 with flow outlet 1802 and at least branch outlet 1803, responsive to an indication that no suitable branching stents are available in inventory). In some embodiments, operation 3725 is initially performed virtually, yielding an image like FIG. 18 as a heuristic model. A large number of such models can be kept as a virtual “inventory,” in some implementations, optionally including linkages to component availability information that can bear upon a delivery time estimate.

Operation 3727 describes configuring the stent with the flow occlusion portion in response to a pathological indication and to the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. plant 570 causing press controller 575 to create a flow occlusion site more than 90% blocked, responsive to an indication of an arterial rupture). Alternatively or additionally, the flow occlusion portion can be implemented as a thrombogenic surface positioned in a thrombogenic target zone such as that shown in FIGS. 18 & 19.

Operation 3728 describes applying information retrieved relating to the stent with the flow occlusion portion (e.g. sheet bender controller 573 implementing one or more pleats in sheet material 910 or in stent 1000 responsive to information about flow occlusion portion 922). In some instances, pleats may be denser in a remainder (e.g. mesh portion 921) of a sheet component, or may be omitted entirely from a flow occlusion portion to minimize inelastic deformation.

Referring now to FIG. 38, there are shown several variants of the flow 700 of FIG. 7. Operation 760—receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 3863 or 3869. Operation 770—configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 3871, 3873, 3875, 3876, or 3878.

Operation 3863 describes obtaining an identifier of the specific patient as the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. patient identifier input 413 requesting the patient's identification number responsive to name fragments received, such as from an intake nurse). Alternatively or additionally, complete or local records for the patient can be retrieved directly in response to the name fragments or other patient identifier initially received. This approach can accelerate a stent customization, for example, especially in or near an emergency care facility. This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which operation 760 is performed by receiver 430 and in which operation 770 is performed by processing module 580.

Operation 3869 describes obtaining medical history information including at least the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. message parser 450 assembling the patient's history as portions thereof arrive, and extracting at least a reasonably current vessel diameter as the parameter). In some embodiments, model input 412 instead generates stent diameter or thickness as the parameter (from the vessel diameter, e.g.).

Operation 3871 describes forming the flow occlusion portion of the stent by supporting a substantially occlusive layer with a rigid flow-permeable mesh (e.g. bonder controller 579 affixing patch 1322 to frame 1321 with bonder 509). For variants incorporating features like operation 3871, a layer can be substantially occlusive if it occludes at least about 80% of a defined channel cross section. In some embodiments, a first and second stent portion are designed to be assembled in situ, such as by installing a film, a somewhat flimsy stent, or the like and then supporting it in situ against a vessel wall with a rigid frame. See FIG. 16. In some embodiments, those skilled in the art can implement operation 3871 by applying teachings herein to adapt assembly techniques described in documents like U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/737,314 (“Assembly and Planar Structure for Use Therein Which is Expandable into a 3-D Structure Such as a Stent and Device for Making the Planar Structure”).

Operation 3873 describes heat-treating at least a portion of the one or more stents responsive to the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. machine interface 571 shaping nitinol or other superelastic material at 400° to 500° Celsius using a heuristic model that includes a temperature or other measurable parameter). In some embodiments, the parameter can be a thickness or other model dimension or a treatment temperature. In some embodiments, those skilled in the art can implement operation 3873 by applying teachings herein to adapt construction techniques described in documents like U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/826,028 (“Sizing and Shaping Device for Treating Congestive Heart Failure”).

Operation 3875 describes removing material from the stent in the response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. model implementer 563 forming notches, perforations, or the like responsive to an indication that a heuristic stent or component model needs a higher flexibility or coating elution rate). Operation 3875 can also be performed physically, such as by a chemical etch (or by laser controller 578 or the like) forming or enlarging holes 925 of FIG. 9. In some embodiments, mesh portion 921 can be made more flexible and flow-permeable as the diameters of holes 925 are increased slightly, responsive to a shortage, patient attribute, or the like.

Operation 3876 describes configuring the stent with a flow-permeable mesh in the response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. machine interface 571 positioning a diffuse emboli-deflecting mesh responsive to an indication that the permeating flow will supply a carotid artery or other location vulnerable to emboli). In some embodiments, a diffuse emboli-deflecting mesh is one with about 50 to 5000 flow holes per square centimeter and an effective areal coverage of at most about 20%.

Operation 3878 describes configuring the flow occlusion portion of the stent in the response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. substance applicator 569 or machine interface 571 configuring thrombogenic surface 1863 of FIG. 18). In some embodiments, a thrombogenic surface can be a cellulose-based compound, a bare metal, or otherwise at least about as thrombogenic as pure titanium.

Referring now to FIG. 39, there are shown several variants of the flow 800 of FIG. 8. Operation 880—obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage—may include one or more of the following operations: 3984 or 3986. Operation 890—specializing one or more stents in response to obtaining the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to the obtained parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage—may include one or more of the following operations: 3992, 3993, 3995, 3996, or 3998.

Operation 3984 describes obtaining anatomical information including at least the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. inventory controller 540 accessing stent inventory 542 to determine that it includes no stents of suitable size and rigidity for effectively stenting a trachea, esophagus, or the like). In some embodiments, such a determination is made responsive to arithmetic combinations, quantitative comparisons or the like, substantially in lieu of specific anatomical name comparisons. This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which operation 880 is performed by receiver 430 and in which operation 890 is performed by processing module 580.

Operation 3986 describes obtaining stent information including at least the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. wire type input 426 receiving an indication that a wire component of a heuristic stent model has a category of “custom” or other indication that the wire is not generic). In some embodiments, such an indication signifies that such wire is never in inventory and must be special ordered or replaced with some other design structure.

Operation 3992 describes exerting pressure on a component of the one or more stents responsive to the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. sheet bender controller 573 forming pleats 1415 with sheet bender 503 in a configuration substantially like that of a stent in short supply). In some embodiments, the component is assembled into the stent(s) after operation 3992.

Operation 3993 describes specializing the one or more stents responsive to a value of a parameter relating to a specific patient (e.g. network interface 561 causing stent 2150 to implement radius of curvature 2152 for duct 2024 of patient 2000). In some embodiments, network interface 561 configures stent 2150 via a manufacturing or customization facility (not shown) that can be remote from patient 2000 or system 500.

Operation 3995 describes removing a portion of the one or more stents responsive to the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. laser controller 578 scoring, notching, or otherwise removing material with laser 508 along a pleat defined in a novel stent pleating configuration identified by the parameter). Alternatively or additionally, the removed portion may include a stent length portion removed by cutting (via machine interface 571, e.g.) responsive to a length indicator. Alternatively or additionally, the removed portion may include a stent thickness removed by chemical etching (via applicator controller 564, e.g.) responsive to a thickness indicator. Alternatively or additionally any portion of a virtual stent can be removed by model implementer 563, in some embodiments, responsive to a similar stent being depleted or otherwise in short supply.

Operation 3996 describes including an antibiotic in the one or more stents (e.g. antibiotic dispenser 568 applying a rapamycin-containing mixture locally in response to the parameter indicating that no better antibiotic is apparently available commercially). In some embodiments, a message describing this information can instead be provided to a doctor who can then authorize or implement the rapamycin-including mixture coating operation.

Operation 3998 describes forming an aperture in the one or more stents responsive to the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. machine interface 571 forming an opening responsive to flow port 2202 of stent model 2210, responsive to an indication that flow port 2202 is substantially unlike that of any stent in inventory). In some embodiments, such an indication can come from an interface such as by input device 434, a mouse or other pointing device, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 40, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown local system 4000 includes receiving module 4030, customization module 4050 and resources 4060 coupled, for example, by channel 4010. Local system 4000 can also include first stent printer 4021, memory manager 4070, memory 4072, storage manager 4080 or storage 4082. Local system 4000 can (optionally) couple through linkage 4011 with remote elements such as second stent printer 4022. In some embodiments portions of local system 4000 such as design logic 4069 or storage 4082 can likewise be implemented remotely.

As shown receiving module 4030 can (optionally) include one or more of interface 4031, message parser 4033 or input 4037. Message parser 4033 can include one or more of identifiers 4034 or quantities 4035. Input 4037 can include one or more of profile 4038 (patient data or profiles 2700, 2900 of FIGS. 27 and 29, e.g.) or values 4039.

Customization module 4050 can include one or more of first applicator logic 4051, second applicator logic 4052, component assembler 4053, material removal logic 4054, press controller 4055, junction formation logic 4056, flow occlusion logic 4057, composition logic 4058 or layer configuration logic 4059. Each of these items may optionally be implemented as special purpose circuitry, as firmware, as software, or as general purpose circuitry configured with software in some embodiments.

Resources 4060 can include applicator 4001, applicator 4002, positioner 4003, etching equipment 4004, press 4005, equipment interface 4006, modeling software 4007, ingredient combiner 4008 or machine interface 4009. Resources 4060 can likewise include components 4061 (wire 4062, mesh 4063, patch 4064, or sheet 4065, e.g.), virtual site 4066, virtual stent 4067 and its components 4068, or design logic 4069. In some embodiments one or more of these resources can be implemented remotely, physically or virtually as exemplified below.

Referring now to FIG. 41, there are shown several variants of the flow 300 of FIG. 3 or 34. Operation 340—customizing one or more junctions of a stent ex situ in response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 4141, 4144, 4146, 4148, or 4149. Operation 4150—performing one or more additional operations—may include one or more of the following operations: 4153, 4155, 4158, or 4159.

Operation 4141 describes forming a seam along at least a first edge of a sheet element (e.g. junction formation logic 4056 using equipment interface 4006 to join abutting or overlapping edges sheet edges). Equipment interface 4006 can perform this function using a welder or adhesive applicator (not shown), for example. In some embodiments, operation 4142 can be performed based on or otherwise in response to a received diameter or overlap distance relating to the specific patient, for example. Alternatively or additionally the received parameter(s) can include one or more of a medication, a dosage, a sheet identifier or the like relating to a specific patient. This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which customization module 4050 performs operation 340 and in which one or more resources 4060 perform operation 4150.

Operation 4144 describes joining a flow occlusion element with a flow-permeable element at a junction location at least partly based on the received parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. flow occlusion logic 4057 using modeling software 4007 for assembling virtual stent 4067 by affixing a patch to a mesh in a mutual position at least partly specified by the received parameter). The received parameter can indicate a menu selection of “toward the narrow end,” for example, or a longitudinal coordinate of 0.31 millimeters. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, flow occlusion logic 4057 can be configured to perform this operation upon a physical stent, such as by coupling flow occlusion logic 4057 with a bonder or the like via a machine interface (not shown).

Operation 4146 describes engaging a first tubular element of the stent ex situ with an open end of a second tubular element of the stent (e.g. component assembler 4053 using positioner 4003 for forming an end-to-end or other composite stent in response to one or more instructions). The instructions can include indications of click-and-drag user input or the like, for example. In some embodiments, received parameters specify where the junction is (as coordinates, e.g.). Alternatively or additionally, the parameters can explicitly indicate a degree of overlap or a crimping force, for example, used for joining stent components.

Operation 4148 describes infusing at least one of the one or more junctions with a therapeutic agent (e.g. composition logic 4058 using ingredient combiner 4008 for mixing the therapeutic agent with a biocompatible binding agent). The therapeutic agent can include an antibiotic or other drug, an antiproliferative agent or the like. Including such agents within the junction(s) can permit a more controlled dosage profile, for example.

Operation 4149 describes configuring one or more pleats of the stent ex situ responsive to the received parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. press controller 4055 using press 4005 to customize the one or more pleats to achieve a degree of compression suitable for use in a specific stenting site within the patient). By positioning pleats and other junctions in a manner that accommodates a degree of tortuosity needed for access to a stenting site, for example, a stiffer or thicker sheet material may become feasible for smooth portions of the stent in some implementations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other advantages can be achieved by other modes of customization, in light of teachings herein, without undue experimentation.

Operation 4153 describes generating at least one variant of the stent in response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. second stent printer 4022 generating two or more stents of different sizes or compositions). In some embodiments the stents differ in only one or two aspects that are well understood. This can, for example, permit a surgeon to choose at the 11th hour, or even in surgery, between two or more stent versions that have been customized for the patient.

Operation 4155 describes engaging an open end of a first tubular element of the stent with a second tubular element of the stent (e.g. component assembler 4053 using positioner 4003 for arranging one or more of wire 4062, mesh 4063, patch 4064 or sheet 4065 physically or virtually). This can allow for coupling stent components end-to-end or in complex branched configurations like that of FIG. 23, making stenting feasible even for complex vessel geometries like that of FIG. 22. A surgeon can also perform operation 4155 in situ, such as by press-fitting tapered sleeves as shown in FIG. 23.

Operation 4158 describes displaying the at least a portion of the one or more customized junctions of the stent (e.g. interface 4031 displaying components 4068 of virtual stent 4067). Alternatively or additionally, interface 4031 can display a photograph of one or more components 4061 of an actual stent.

Operation 4159 describes customizing one or more other features of the stent (e.g. customization module 4050 selecting components of the stent in response to other information relating to the specific patient). In some embodiments, customization module 4050 can perform this operation jointly with storage manager 4080, for example, by retrieving data about a stent component or other resources available for customization operations.

Referring now to FIG. 42, there are shown several variants of the flow 300 of FIGS. 3, 34, or 41. Operation 330—receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 4231, 4233, 4234, or 4237. Operation 340—customizing one or more junctions of a stent ex situ in response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 4242, 4244, 4245, 4246, 4247, or 4249.

Operation 4231 describes receiving an anatomical model of a portion of the specific patient (e.g. memory manager 4070 retrieving virtual site 4066 or virtual stent 4067 from memory 4072 as a mathematical description of one or more 3-dimensional objects). In some embodiments, virtual stent 4067 may be customized for the specific patient. Alternatively or additionally, design logic 4069 can be configured to adapt or generate such a stent using the virtual site 4066 or other received anatomical data. Design logic 4069 can likewise (optionally) be configured to delegate some or all of this task to remote resources such as second stent printer 4122. This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which receiving module 4030 performs operation 330 and in which customization module 4050 performs operation 340.

Operation 4233 describes receiving an identifier of the specific patient (e.g. message parser 4033 receiving one or more identifiers such as the patient's name or identification number). In some embodiments, the identifiers comprise the received parameter, optionally accompanied by other parameters such as a customized stent specification. Alternatively or additionally, a patient identifier can be used to request a retrieval of other parameters.

Operation 4234 describes receiving an ingredient indication as the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. message parser 4033 receiving one or more identifiers 4034 of drugs or sheet elements). A sheet element identifier may include an explicit identifier (e.g. Nitinol) or an implicit identifier (e.g. a catalog item of “A40”). Those skilled in the art will recognize a variety of trade names or other identifiers, for example, that indicate a material or other ingredient suitable for use in customizing a stent. Alternatively or additionally, a component identifier can be used to request a retrieval of other parameters.

Operation 4237 describes receiving a dimension as the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. message parser 4033 receiving one or more quantities 4035 signifying widths or other shape data). The quantities may define or otherwise describe an anatomical attribute amenable to customization, for example. Message parser 4033 may likewise receive data that is not used for stent customization in some embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, message parser 4033 can be configured to receive and interpret identifiers 4034 (e.g. as described above in relation to operation 4233 or 4234).

Operation 4242 describes removing material from at least one stent component in the response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. material removal logic 4054 using etching equipment 4004 to remove a layer or to form holes). See, e.g., holes 925 in FIG. 9. Alternatively or additionally, material removal logic 4054 can reduce a layer thickness of one or more components 4068 of virtual stent 4067 in response to input 4037 from interface 4031. This can be implemented physically, for example, by adding thinner to a binding agent into which the wire or sheet element is dipped, or in directing that fewer layers (e.g. successive applications) will be included.

Operation 4244 describes applying a first layer to a stent element in response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. first applicator logic 4051 configuring applicator 4001 to control an application of a layer to a sheet material or wire material). See, e.g. FIGS. 26 & 28. First applicator logic 4051 can, for example, be configured to control one or more of an applicator type (e.g. A spray applicator or an immersion system); a drug, binding agent or other ingredient; a temperature, duration, positioning or sequencing of applications or the like.

Operation 4245 describes forming one of the one or more junctions between the first layer and a second layer by applying the second layer over the first layer (e.g. second applicator logic 4052 configuring applicator 4002 to control an application of a new layer over a lower layer or other component of stent). Second applicator logic 4052 can, for example, be configured to control one of the above-referenced systems, optionally including a control attribute responsive to input 4037 or from interface 4031.

Operation 4246 describes configuring a dimension of a layer of the stent ex situ in the response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. flow occlusion logic 4057 using modeling software 4007 for configuring a length, width, thickness, or structure of a layer in response to input 4037 entered on behalf of the specific patient). In some embodiments, the layer can comprise patch 4064, sheet 4065, a thrombogenic material or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the dimension can comprise a value such as outer diameter 1667 of FIG. 16, a layer thickness or the like. The received parameter can include a radius of curvature or other indicator of tortuosity, a vessel diameter, a calcification or age indicator, a pathologic indicator or the like. Modeling software 4008 can be configured to describe a position of virtual stent 4067 within virtual site 4066 using conventional 3-dimensional rendering, for example, in light of these teachings. In some variants, vessel shape or other patient attributes can be taken into account in determining the appropriateness of a tapered or tight-fitting stent, for example. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, flow occlusion logic 4057 can be configured to perform operation 4144 as described above.

Operation 4247 describes configuring a layer of the stent ex situ in the response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. layer configuration logic 4059 using machine interface 4009 for configuring a length, width, or thickness of a layer in response to input 4037 entered for the specific patient). In some embodiments, the layer can comprise a flow occlusion structure as described in operation 4246 or the dimension or the received parameter can include those described above. Alternatively or additionally, the material composition of the junction(s) or layer(s) can be customized in response to the received parameter(s). A thinner or more pliable material may be used in response to an indication that the patient is elderly or that an access vessel is highly tortuous, for example. Those skilled in the art will recognize a variety of other customization opportunities to serve patients better in light of teachings herein.

Operation 4249 describes forming the one or more junctions of the stent ex situ (e.g. first stent printer 4021 configuring a content or thickness of an inter-layer junction in response to a dosage profile selected or otherwise specified by input). the wire component 2700 can be configured with two layers, in the example as shown in FIG. 27, in response to input 4037 indicating a profile like that of FIG. 28 (e.g. profile 2800). In one scenario, attributes of inventoried stent components (respective mechanical properties or elution profiles, e.g.) Are displayed to a user who then selects a desired combination of the components and activates first stent printer 4021 accordingly. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such profiles can be implemented without undue experimentation, for example, using inkjet technology or the like in light of teachings herein.

Referring now to FIG. 43, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown local system 4300 includes specialization module 4302, resources 4303, and interface module 4304 operatively coupled, such as by channel 4350. In some embodiments as described herein, interface module 4304 is configured to perform one or more variants of at least part of operation 880, and specialization module 4302 or resources 4303 are configured to perform other aspects of flow 800. Specialization module 4302 can include one or more components of custom processor 560 of FIG. 5, for example. Resources 4303 can (optionally) include one or more of first storage manager 4310, second storage manager 4320 or records manager 4330 (e.g. containing transactions 4335). First storage manager 4310 can include one or more of event indications 4311, device attributes 4312 or the like. Second storage manager 4320 can include one or more of parameter values 4321, status information 4322 or the like. Interface module 4304 can (optionally) include one or more of user interface 4341, memory manager 4342 (operable to access memory 4343, e.g.), comparator 4344, sensor 4345, message parser 4347, test instrument 4348 or processor 4349.

Referring now to FIG. 44, there are shown several variants of the flow 800 of FIG. 8 or 39. Operation 880—obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage—may include one or more of the following operations: 4481, 4483, 4484, 4485, 4487, or 4488. Operation 890 describes specializing one or more stents in response to obtaining the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage. Operation 4450—performing one or more additional operations—may include one or more of the following operations: 4452, 4454, 4456, 4457, or 4459 (by one or more items of resources 4303, data manager 590 or the like, e.g.).

Operation 4481 describes generating the parameter at least partly based on a substantially current measurement of a patient's physical attribute (e.g. test instrument 4348 obtaining the parameter as a measurement of a vessel thickness, density, stiffness or radius of curvature). In some embodiments, the physical attribute can comprise one or more thermal, sonic, mechanical or optical attributes detected recently enough to be therapeutically useful, for example. Alternatively or additionally, processor 4349 can compute the parameter as an index combining the measurements with other variables in a weighted sum or other computation responsive to one or more measurements by test instrument 4348. Those skilled in the art will recognize a variety of suitably exponentiated or otherwise scaled operands and parameters relatable to specific patients or shortages, without undue experimentation, in light of these teachings.

Operation 4483 describes obtaining information indicating at least the stent inventory shortage (e.g. memory manager 4342 receiving an order or other request for inventory into memory 4343). This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which interface module 4304 performs operation 880, in which specialization module 4302 performs operation 890, and in which some of resources 4303 perform operation 4450.

Operation 4484 describes computing a result of a logical function responsive to an age of a patient (e.g. comparator 4344 comparing the patient's age with a threshold). the result can be used, for example, for selecting a thickness or rigidity of a sheet material or to generate a nominal outer diameter specification. A thinner material can be selected over a thicker material, for example, for a patient who is over 60 years old. In some embodiments, the comparator can combine variables arithmetically or logically, for example, or use a function of the age (e.g. “age minus 60” or the like) as a variable. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous variations of this type in light of these teachings.

Operation 4485 describes using an anatomical dimension as the parameter (e.g. sensor 4345 generating the parameter as a size or other anatomical measurement). Likewise sensor array 1121 can generate many such parameters as size or shape data each giving a respective dimension of anomaly 1174. Such data can likewise include color information or the like that can be used for determining an absence of a suitable stent in a medical inventory, or otherwise for prompting a stent specialization as described herein.

Operation 4487 describes parsing a message indicating the stent inventory shortage (e.g. message parser 4347 extracting one or more instructions, measurements, or other parameters indicating the stent inventory shortage from a message received at interface module 4304). The indication can include an order or request quantity, a “reorder now” alert or equivalent binary value, identifiers of stents and other items that are in short supply, an identifier of a patient needing a stent not in inventory, specifications for such a stent or the like.

Operation 4488 describes obtaining one or more quantities as the stent inventory shortage (e.g. user interface 4341 receiving a menu selection or other quantity indication from a user). Alternatively or additionally, a message or data structure can be received or accessed for obtaining such data (e.g. by memory manager 4342, message parser 4347 or the like, in some variants).

Operation 4452 describes recording an indication of specializing at least one of the one or more stents (e.g. first storage manager 4310 recording event indications 4311). In some embodiments, one or more parameters or instructions relating to the specialization can likewise be recorded as or with event indications 4311. This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which interface module 4304 performs operation 880, in which specialization module 4302 performs operation 890, and in which one or more resources 4303 performs operation 4450.

Operation 4454 describes recording an indication of the one or more stents relating to a specific patient (e.g. records manager 4330 recording transactions 4335 in which at least one common record indicates the one or more stent and at least the specific patient). The record can likewise identify or otherwise indicate other individuals who received a similar stent, in some embodiments.

Operation 4456 describes recording an attribute of the one or more stents (e.g. first storage manager 4310 recording device attributes 4312). Device attributes 4312 can include one or more of a dimension, a material or type identifier, a serial number, a model number, a location, a price, a stiffness or other parameter, a physical measurement, a specification, a supplier or owner, a completion date or the like.

Operation 4457 describes recording an indication of the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage (e.g. second storage manager 4320 recording one or more parameter values 4321, many of which are described herein in relation to such a shortage). In some embodiments, second storage manager 4320 can also record other parameters, one or more of which may also relate to a real or apparent stent inventory shortage.

Operation 4459 describes recording an indication of the stent inventory shortage (e.g. second storage manager 4320 recording “available,” “reserved” or the like as status information 4322 relating to one or more stents in an inventory). In some embodiments, the indication can comprise the parameter(s) obtained in operation 880, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 45, there is shown another exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. As shown local system 4500 includes interface module 4530, configuration module 4540 and resources 4570 operatively coupled, such as by channel 4510. In some embodiments as described herein, interface module 4530 or the like is configured to perform one or more variants of operation 760, and configuration module 4540 or resources 4570 are configured to perform other aspects of flow 700. This can occur, for example, even in embodiments in which a programmable general-purpose chip implements a variant of system 4500 as taught herein, such as by implementing some or all items of interface module 4530 and configuration module 4540 in software.

Interface module 4530 can (optionally) include one or more of interface 4531, output device 4532, transducer 4533, request processor 4535, record retriever 4536, network interface 4538 or the like. Configuration module 4540 can include one or more of virtual stent 4546, task delegator 4551, selection logic 4552, positioning logic 4553, laser controller 4554, press controller 4555, flow occlusion logic 4557 or the like. Virtual Stent 4546 can include one or more of thickness 4548, parts 4549 or the like. Resources 4570 can include one or more of inventory controller 4571, library manager 4572 (with components 4573, e.g.), component handler 4574, network interface 4576, event recorder 4577, patient records manager 4578 (with data 4579, e.g.) or the like. For example, resources 4570 can likewise include one or more of positioner 4503, laser 4504, press 4505, modeling module 4507 or the like.

System 4500 can (optionally) also include one or more of stent printer 4520, computer-aided design module 4580, archive manager 4591, data processing module 4595 or data storage module 4597 (with data 4598, e.g.). Stent printer 4520 can include one or more instances of stent 4525. Archive manager 4591 can likewise include one or more of message 4592, data 4593, archive interface 4594 or the like. Data processing module 4595 can include one or more tasks 4596. Those skilled in the art will recognize that some variants of system 4500 can access or implement elements of one or more systems as described above such as by coupling channel 4510 with channel 4350.

Referring now to FIG. 46, there are shown several variants of the flow 800 of FIG. 7 or 38. Operation 760 describes receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient. Operation 770—configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 4671, 4672, 4676, 4677, or 4679. Operation 4650—performing one or more additional operations—may include one or more of the following operations: 4652, 4653, 4655, 4656, 4658, or 4659 (by one or more items of configuration module 4540 or resources 4570, e.g.).

Operation 4671 describes configuring the flow occlusion portion at least partly by performing an operation upon another portion of the stent (e.g. laser controller 4554 and laser 4504 jointly defining or a shape of a flow occlusion portion of a stent by removing or adapting other portions of the stent). This can occur, for example, in an embodiment in which flow occlusion portion 922 is formed by creating or modifying holes 925. Operation 4671 can likewise be performed by bonding a patch or the like upon a specified portion of a frame or other stent component. Alternatively, operation 4671 can be performed virtually (e.g. on virtual stent 4546).

Operation 4672 describes requesting a heuristic model at least partly based on the received parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. network interface 4576 requesting one or more heuristic models as data 4598 from data storage module 4597). The received parameter may identify part or all of a model, for example, or may be provided among many parameters comprising the model. Alternatively or additionally, the parameter or relation may be provided as an argument to the heuristic model, which can then generate a detailed model of a custom-configured flow occlusion portion or stent.

Operation 4676 describes configuring the stent with the flow occlusion portion virtually (e.g. modeling module 4507 positioning flow-occluding patches or sleeves in positions adjacent to other stent components). An inner portion of each of sleeves 2311, 2312, 2316, for example, are flow occlusion portions, positioned to occlude a flow to aneurysm 2205, for example, when adjacent body 2379. This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which site model 2200 contains a virtual instance of stent 2300 such as stent model 2210.

Operation 4677 describes configuring the flow occlusion portion of the stent at least partly based on the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. positioning logic 4553 causing positioner 4503 to place a flow-occlusive structure using one or more location indicators). The flow-occlusive structure can include a coil or patch or the like, for example, and the location indicator(s) can include coordinates of anatomical features or other stent features. In some variants, operation 4677 can include selection logic 4552 selecting patch 1322 or patch 4064 based upon a shape of an anatomical feature targeted for treatment. The anatomical feature can comprise a tumor, an opening, a lesion, an aneurism, an anomaly or the like.

Operation 4679 describes configuring the flow occlusion portion of the stent with an occlusion area at least about as large as a cross-sectional area of a target feature of the specific patient (e.g. flow occlusion logic 4557 configuring modeling module 4507 with virtual stent 4546 based on user input from interface 4531). The user input can include indications of a menu selection, a click-and-drag movement, a user's prompted answers or the like. In some embodiments, such information can be received after displaying a request for the patient's age, dimensions and other shape data, one or more materials or junctions or the like.

Operation 4652 describes forming a flow-permissive portion of the stent from a sheet material (e.g. press controller 4555 using press 4505 to convert the sheet material into the flow-permissive portion). In some embodiments, a “flow-permissive portion” of a stent is configured to be alignable with a vessel wall (e.g. to provide support) or to have a cross-sectional area at least about 20% open. In some embodiments a single diffuse mesh can provide both, such as by extending across an opening (for screening) and across an arterial wall (for support). Alternatively, even a continuous sheet material can be “flow permissive” if positioned to support a vessel wall.

Operation 4653 describes forming a flow-permissive portion of the stent from a wire material (e.g. component handler 4574 bending wire component 2800 at least into a flow-permissive component). Alternatively or additionally, a portion of wire component 2800 can be formed into a flow occlusion structure. In some embodiments, such structural manipulations can be performed before applying one or more coatings.

Operation 4655 describes recording an indication of configuring the stent (e.g. event recorder 4577 recording identifiers of one or more components, attributes, operation times, surgeries or the like). The recorded indication can form a portion of a patient's medical history, for example, or can form a portion of a heuristic model, library, specification or the like as described herein.

Operation 4656 describes recording an indication of the flow occlusion portion (e.g. library manager 4572 storing components 4573 as spatial definition data). Such a library can be useful, for example, for facilitating future customized or otherwise specialized stent designs for similar applications (e.g. for use in similar sites).

Operation 4658 describes recording an indication of the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. patient records manager 4578 recording one or more indications of the relation, parameter, or patient as data 4579). In some embodiments, records manager 4330 can likewise be configured to perform operation 4658, such as by recording one or more transmissions of information or physical products as transactions 4335.

Operation 4659 describes recording an indication of receiving the parameter (e.g. archive manager 4591 recording messages 4592 in response to one or more indications that operation 760 has begun or ended). This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which archive manager 4591 or the like is operatively coupled with a variant of interface module 4530 performing operation 760 and in which configuration module 4540 and one or more resources 4570 jointly perform operation 770. Alternatively or additionally, operation 4659 can be performed by (other) resources 4570 such as those described herein performing other variants.

Referring now to FIG. 47, there are shown several variants of the flow 800 of FIGS. 7, 38, or 46. Operation 760—receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 4761, 4763, 4765, 4766, 4767, or 4769. Operation 770—configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient—may include one or more of the following operations: 4771, 4772, 4775, or 4776.

Operation 4761 describes receiving a request quantity as the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. request processor 4535 receiving a dosage prescription or order quantity relating to patient “John Doe”). This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which network interface 4538 receives a message containing one or more such quantities or instructions, in which a heuristic model defines default values and other stent aspects not articulated in the message, and in which stent printer 4520 or configuration module 4540 performs operation 770. Alternatively or additionally, interface 4531 can receive one or more such request quantities as user input.

Operation 4763 describes receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient after obtaining an identifier of the specific patient (e.g. record retriever 4536 receiving data after using the obtained patient identifier in an information request). The received data can include any of the data described herein that can include parameters relating to the specific patient. Alternatively or additionally, record retriever 4536 or the like can direct such an information request to a remote provider (e.g. data processing module 4595 or data storage module 4597). In some embodiments, the request can include payment information or the like, or retrieval parameters other than the patient identifier, optionally in lieu of the patient identifier.

Operation 4765 describes receiving a timestamp as the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. archive manager 4591 receiving data 4593 via network interface 4538 indicating when one or more messages 4592 were apparently sent). Alternatively or additionally, a timing indication from another source (e.g. a local clock, not shown) can be received and related to the specific patient, indicating when one or more messages 4592 apparently arrived. In some embodiments, operation 770 is performed upon less than all of parameters relating to the specific patient.

Operation 4766 describes receiving the parameter as a physical attribute relating to the specific patient (e.g. transducer 4533 detecting an optical or mechanical phenomenon attributable to the patient). An analog signal or other measurements can then be digitized and held as instances of parameters relating to the specific patient. A camera or charge-coupled device array can permit many such parameters to be collected, for example, as pixel values.

Operation 4767 describes receiving an item identifier as the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. inventory controller 4571 receiving one or more identifiers of layer structures, wire structures, ingredients, physical or virtual features or the like that need not be used in some stents). In some embodiments, inventory controller includes implementations of one or more items of inventory controller 540, for example. Alternatively or additionally, inventory controller 4571 can transmit a current inventory indication before receiving any such item identifier(s) or can update an electronic inventory responsive to an indication of any item(s) being withdrawn from a physical inventory.

Operation 4769 describes retrieving a record including at least the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. archive interface 4594 requesting and receiving data 4598 from data storage module 4597). This can occur, for example, in embodiments in which the parameter(s) include at least the one relating to the specific patient and in which the parameter(s) are stored in data storage module 4597 (instantiated remotely or locally, e.g.).

Operation 4771 describes causing one or more configuration instructions to be executed in response to the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. task delegator 4551 causing tasks 4596 to be performed by data processing module 4595). In some embodiments, tasks 4596 can include machine- or human-readable instructions relating to a virtual stent. Alternatively or additionally, configuration information can likewise be provided in a message to one who will perform the instructions (e.g. “use materials A and B,” cut or form into shape C,” “length=D” or the like).

Operation 4772 describes configuring at least one attribute of the stent at least roughly contemporaneously with receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. computer-aided design module 4580 configuring a thickness 4548 of virtual stent 4546 within a day of receiving data from user interface 4531). Alternatively or additionally, stent printer 4520 can generate stent 4525 from one or more components based on one or more stent attributes. The components can (optionally) include one or more instances of wire 4062, mesh 4063, patch 4064, sheet 4065, agents, layers or the like. In some embodiments, it is economical to perform operation 4772 at a later time (e.g. in a batch process within about a month of receiving the parameter).

Operation 4775 describes displaying the stent configured with the flow occlusion portion in response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. output device 4532 of interface 4531 modifying a displayed stent in response to data that includes the parameter). The data can include user input or measurement data collected via transducer 4533, for example. In some embodiments the modification can affect the flow occlusion portion, for example, if included in the displayed stent. The flow occlusion portion can be replaced, repositioned or otherwise reconfigured, for example, responsive to such parameter(s).

Operation 4776 describes positioning the flow occlusion portion of the stent in relation to another portion of the stent according to the parameter relating to the specific patient (e.g. positioner 4503 establishing a specified relative position between patch 1322 and frame 1321). Positioner 4503 can perform this operation jointly with component handler 4574, for example, to adhese or otherwise affix (physical) instances of frame 1321 and patch 1322. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this can be achieved by conventional robotics technology in many embodiments, for example, in light of teachings herein.

It will be understood that variations in business models relating to the technologies described herein may prove advantageous, for example in situations in which an information systems consultant or other service provider acts for the benefit of one or more clients or interests to achieve such technologies collectively. Such arrangements can facilitate organizational or tool specialization and cost effectiveness, for example, across distributed networks in the global marketplace. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such beneficial interaction creates a commercial web constituting a single de facto entity of two or more interacting participants cooperatively implementing the teachings herein, within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the art has progressed to the point where there is little distinction left between hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardware and software can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations will typically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link, etc.).

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments described herein can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by various types of electro-mechanical systems having a wide range of electrical components such as hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof; and a wide range of components that may impart mechanical force or motion such as rigid bodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics, and electro-magnetically actuated devices, or virtually any combination thereof. Consequently, as used herein “electro-mechanical system” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry operably coupled with a transducer (e.g., an actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal, etc.), electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment), and any non-electrical analog thereto, such as optical or other analogs. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that examples of electro-mechanical systems include but are not limited to a variety of consumer electronics systems, as well as other systems such as motorized transport systems, factory automation systems, security systems, and communication/computing systems. Those skilled in the art will recognize that electro-mechanical as used herein is not necessarily limited to a system that has both electrical and mechanical actuation except as context may dictate otherwise.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various aspects described herein which can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed of various types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein “electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment). Those having skill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to describe devices and/or processes in the fashion set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering practices to integrate such described devices and/or processes into data processing systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a data processing system via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a typical data processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatile and non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices, such as a touch pad or screen, and/or control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A typical data processing system may be implemented utilizing any suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to implement devices and/or processes and/or systems in the fashion(s) set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering and/or business practices to integrate such implemented devices and/or processes and/or systems into more comprehensive devices and/or processes and/or systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes and/or systems described herein can be integrated into other devices and/or processes and/or systems via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that examples of such other devices and/or processes and/or systems might include—as appropriate to context and application—all or part of devices and/or processes and/or systems of (a) an air conveyance (e.g., an airplane, rocket, hovercraft, helicopter, etc.), (b) a ground conveyance (e.g., a car, truck, locomotive, tank, armored personnel carrier, etc.), (c) a building (e.g., a home, warehouse, office, etc.), (d) an appliance (e.g., a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, etc.), (e) a communications system (e.g., a networked system, a telephone system, a Voice over IP system, etc.), (f) a business entity (e.g., an Internet Service Provider (ISP) entity such as Comcast Cable, Quest, Southwestern Bell, etc), or (g) a wired/wireless services entity such as Sprint, Cingular, Nextel, etc.), etc.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are within the skill of those in the art. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar herein is also intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of such specific components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects herein should not be taken as indicating that limitation is desired.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 

1. A method comprising: obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage; and specializing one or more stents in response to obtaining the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage.
 2. The method of claim 1 in which obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage comprises: obtaining anatomical information including at least the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage.
 3. The method of claim 1 in which obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage comprises: obtaining stent information including at least the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage.
 4. The method of claim 1 in which specializing one or more stents in response to obtaining the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage comprises: exerting pressure on a component of the one or more stents responsive to the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage.
 5. The method of claim 1 in which specializing one or more stents in response to obtaining the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage comprises: specializing the one or more stents responsive to a value of a parameter relating to a specific patient.
 6. The method of claim 1 in which specializing one or more stents in response to obtaining the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage comprises: removing a portion of the one or more stents responsive to the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage.
 7. The method of claim 1 in which specializing one or more stents in response to obtaining the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage comprises: including an antibiotic in the one or more stents.
 8. The method of claim 1 in which specializing one or more stents in response to obtaining the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage comprises: forming an aperture in the one or more stents responsive to the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage.
 9. The method of claim 1 in which obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage comprises: generating the parameter at least partly based on a substantially current measurement of a patient's physical attribute.
 10. The method of claim 1 in which obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage comprises: obtaining information indicating at least the stent inventory shortage.
 11. The method of claim 1 in which obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage comprises: computing a result of a logical function responsive to an age of a patient.
 12. The method of claim 1 in which obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage comprises: using an anatomical dimension as the parameter.
 13. The method of claim 1 in which obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage comprises: parsing a message indicating the stent inventory shortage.
 14. The method of claim 1 in which obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage comprises: obtaining one or more quantities as the stent inventory shortage.
 15. The method of claim 1 further comprising: recording an indication of specializing at least one of the one or more stents.
 16. The method of claim 1 further comprising: recording an indication of the one or more stents relating to a specific patient.
 17. The method of claim 1 further comprising: recording an attribute of the one or more stents.
 18. The method of claim 1 further comprising: recording an indication of the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage.
 19. The method of claim 1 further comprising: recording an indication of the stent inventory shortage.
 20. A method comprising: obtaining a parameter relating to a stent inventory shortage at least by parsing a message indicating the stent inventory shortage and using an anatomical dimension as the parameter; specializing one or more stents in response to obtaining the parameter relating to the stent inventory shortage; recording an indication of specializing at least one of the one or more stents; and recording an attribute of the one or more stents. 